Joshua 5 – Brandon Hatmaker “Ouch!”
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008
“At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.” – Joshua 5:3-4
Ouch! Seriously. Ouch!
Although I had read it before, I was surprised to see this scripture today. I guess I never caught the fact that they had neglected such a major and symbolic thing as circumcision. While the older generation who had died off had been circumcised, the new generation of Israelite men had not. They were the ones who were to receive the promise fulfilled and yet they weren’t circumcised. That seems like a huge mistake that would surely remove the hand of God from their journey. But even in their neglect, God had still led them and moved them into the promised land. God was still with them and still leading them.
I think sometimes we think God’s divine plan depends too much on us, and our obedience. That results in a bit of pride when we do see success. The reality is, God will accomplish what He has set out to do, regardless of us. Our honor is to simply be a part of it. He is sovereign. The key is, when we see we’ve been disobedient or even just “missed” something… are we willing to make up for it?
Most of the time I just say move forward and forget about the past (you can’t change it right, just learn from it?), but God is clearly telling them at this time to make things right. This probably has many significant lessons for us today relationally, spiritually, and even physically.
So two key lessons for me today…(1) remember God’s sovereignty and His plan and (2) knowing that I’m a mess, to remember to get as right with God as I can… don’t let a stone remain unturned. No matter how painful. It will not ultimately thwart His purposes, but it might change my role in it.
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I keep coming back to the fact that this group of people did what God told them to do. Can you imagine how the facs of the men looked when Joshua told them what God wanted them to do? I think it speaks volumes to the level of relationship Joshua had with God. No where does it say Joshua questioned God. He had to know that there was a chance this might not sit right with the men. He didn't batter with God. He didn't try and get out of it. He just did it. I think it also speaks volumes of the sense of community that this group had. When Joshua came back and told them snip snip, there is no mention of the men refusing. There is no mention of them saying yeah right. There is just record of them doing what God has called them to do. Would be as willing??
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